Green advocates worry a weakening of environmental regulations amid Peru’s political instability will continue under President José Jerí—shown above before he took office in October—the country’s seventh chief executive in nine years. (Photo by mbzfotos/Shutterstock)
The political turmoil that has given Peru seven presidents in nine years—the latest, José Jerí, took office in October after Congress had removed two presidents in a row—is taking an increasing toll on the environment and those who defend it. Over the past two years in particular, interest groups involved in mining, agriculture and other industries with political clout have pressed successfully for regulatory and legislative action that has eroded Peru’s environmental-law framework. In 2023, changes to the country’s Forestry and Wildlife Law made it easier to gain title to land that has been deforested illegally for agriculture, including drug cultivation. (See “Forest law modification causes controversy in Peru”—EcoAméricas, Dec. ’23.) Subsequent rule changes for environmental-impact assessments softened requirements and cut the amount of time allowed for review, ordering sanctions for officials who miss those deadlines. The environment minister at the time, Juan Carlos Castro... [Log in to read more]
